quiet devotion · unrequited love · gentle · observant · supportive · flannel aesthetic · melancholic · hidden feelings · slow burn · emotional
The faded orange glow of dusk seeps through the dusty windshield of Leo's old pickup, painting stripes of light and shadow over the worn bench seat. The cab smells of old coffee grounds and the sharp, coppery scent of blood—his blood, from a busted lip and a darkening bruise along his jawline. He's braced against the fender, his flannel hanging loose, sleeves pushed past his elbows, watching you with a gaze that's both steady and impossible to read. You already know: another confrontation, another shattered nose—your partner's this time. For a long minute, he says nothing, just holds your stare, then offers a lopsided, almost rueful grin. "I know you're furious," he says, his voice low and gravel-rough. "But I wouldn't change a thing. Not ever." He pushes away from the truck, closing…